Michael Chorost became a cyborg on October 1, 2001, the day his new ear was booted up. Born hard of hearing in 1964, he went completely deaf in ... read full description
reviews
Mar 26, 2010
Osho
rated it: 
This is the treadmill book (like Petra X's handbag book).
Michael Chorost, already partially deaf, suddenly went completely deaf. More than just a memoir of this experience of deafness and acquiring a cochlear implant, Rebuilt's narrative is intertwined with Chorost's thoughts and speculations about becoming a cyborg (that is, a human with "software that makes if-then-else decisions and acts on the body to carry them out" (p. 40). This is a good book to read with Donna Haraw More...
Michael Chorost, already partially deaf, suddenly went completely deaf. More than just a memoir of this experience of deafness and acquiring a cochlear implant, Rebuilt's narrative is intertwined with Chorost's thoughts and speculations about becoming a cyborg (that is, a human with "software that makes if-then-else decisions and acts on the body to carry them out" (p. 40). This is a good book to read with Donna Haraw More...
May 13, 2011
Kate
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I thought this was an excellent book, especially as I'm looking forward to being evaluated next week for a hybrid implant. Maybe it's because I'm an ex-computer programmer and a techie, but I really enjoyed this book. The New York TImes, in a review of his current book, said "he's shared too much intimacy, too many confessions," but I disagree. That, to me, made the book all the better. It made Michael Chorost more human to me to read his thoughts about cyborgs and his forays into the
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Mar 18, 2010
Emily
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The story written here, of a man experiencing complete, sudden deafness for the first time, is a great mix of science, human behavior and social interaction. Having met the author, it only reinforces his extraordinary tale of taking loss and wielding it to accomplish a gain. I was wary at first as to how he would handle the argument of cochlear implants amongst the deaf community. He took on the subject with grace and sensitivity, while also accomodating for changing views as the technology an
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Nov 14, 2010
Jennette
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I picked this book up because I am always trying to stay in touch with my husband's deteriorating hearing and assumed that it was a tech-based assessment of a potential alternative. Instead I found a poet for all that face dramatic life changes. Michael smart about the geek stuff and also connected to his evolving emotions which made for a wonderful read and many thoughtful discussions with friends.
I look forward to reading his subsequent works.
I look forward to reading his subsequent works.
Jun 03, 2010
Chorost's insights into the world of the hard of hearing through his research into cochlear implants and his own experience are thorough, and for the most part, engaging. While in parts his narrative is fascinating and easy to read, at other times he becomes deeply enmeshed in his own philosophical ramblings. These sections are wordy and dense, and while most of the time they are worth the read, other times I was left thinking, "what is he talking about?" Still, worth the read, and
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Sep 05, 2011
Maria
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This book is one of the best memoirs I've ever read. Someone close to me has a hearing loss that has been remedied by an ossicular implant. This is an implant of the middle ear, quite different from Michael Chorost's implant in the inner ear. This is his journey and it's funny, touching and very well written. I highly recommend it.
Feb 09, 2011
Colin
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There's a lot to like here-- humorous, clear and humble writing and a host of interesting thoughts to boot. Chorost takes his deafness and later receipt of a cochlear implant and turns them into more than just a story of the miracle of modern science; he delves deeply into the philosophical implications of the condition of the cyber-organism and ultimately presents a vision of how humans and machines will come to be intimately and often physically bound to one another in the near future.
May 21, 2009
The best combination of touching memoir and meditation/analysis of what it means to be human in a world where experience is mediated by technology. This affable narrator will give you new insights on the nature of intimacy.
Jan 14, 2009
Spencer
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Engaging and quick read from a cochlear implant recipient who analyzes his sense of self. Provides some interesting anecdotes on hearing, technology and what it means to be human.
May 10, 2009
Eclarep
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Presents Cohorst's journey through deafness and back into the hearing world after getting a cochlear implant. Interesting but I'm still not racing to get a cochlear implant.
Oct 19, 2009
Sherri
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This book was just okay. Parts of it I found really interesting -- when Chorost focused on the cochlear impact and the ups and downs of hearing with it. I did not like when he would go off into relaying details of his dating excursions - they just didn't seem to fit.
Dec 27, 2010
Michelle
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intriguing perspective and insights about the philosophical as well as practical implications of cochlear implant
Mar 18, 2010
Drew
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I've read a slew of books from an anti-cochlear implant stance, I was curious what this guy had to say about his CI experience. The book had some things to say about the politics of CI, but was more about the technology behind CIs and his documentation of what it sounds like as his brain grew accustomed to it.
Nerd Alert warning: The author discusses the work of Frank Herbert in this book. Other Nerd Alert artifacts noticed: Philip Glass, Lord of the Rings, programming languages, David More...
Nerd Alert warning: The author discusses the work of Frank Herbert in this book. Other Nerd Alert artifacts noticed: Philip Glass, Lord of the Rings, programming languages, David More...
Dec 16, 2009
Audrey
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While this is far from the best written or even most compelling book I've ever read, I rank it highly because it's both interesting and unique.
Technology has allowed us to actually take outside sound and change it into input that can directly stimulate the auditory nerves. This is one person's experience with dealing with having this strange computer be a part of them and their experience of the world.
One of the most powerful images he conjures up is when he plugs the im More...
Technology has allowed us to actually take outside sound and change it into input that can directly stimulate the auditory nerves. This is one person's experience with dealing with having this strange computer be a part of them and their experience of the world.
One of the most powerful images he conjures up is when he plugs the im More...
Jul 28, 2009
Ann
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I definitely recommend this memoir from a man who had a cochlear implant. It is very well written. He makes you think about hearing from so many perspectives.
May 15, 2008
Susan
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Derrick and I both read this shortly after we found out Lola was deaf, and we had decided on a cochlear implant. This is a fascinating book to hear from an adult what it's like to have an implant since Lola will never be able to tell us about it versus life without it. Very interesting.
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Mar 18, 2010
Kelly
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It's fantastic view on cochlear implants that helped me to change my mind and see some of the benefits that CI brings as well as other negatives.
Mar 18, 2010
Jessica
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The author gets a cochlear implant. Fascinating to read about the process and what he actually "hears."
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